[Act 1: After the Hard Strike — Suffering Reversal]
Lin Bufan blocked Xuan Jiufen's palm. His face looked normal, but his body's qi and blood were churning and his organs were shaking.
Although the system's "Spiritual Energy Transformation Array" can instantly give him the power of the 8th level of Qi Refining, it has a time limit of only 30 seconds.
—the time limit was only 30 seconds.
Now, his body was gradually collapsing.
[Warning: Spiritual energy reflux has reached a critical point. We recommend forced dormancy for recovery."
Current status: Deficiency + microcracks in meridians + 40% decrease in battle power."
But he did not retreat.
Xuan Jiufen was still there.
As long as I reveal my weakness, Greenstone Village is doomed.
"You... are not a waste of the second level of Qi Refining?"
For the first time, caution appeared in Xuan Jiubuan's eyes.
Lin Bufan lifted the corner of his mouth. "I'm not a waste, but you're old."
The entire arena shook.
[Ding! Villain shock value +230]
[Ding! Gained anger feedback points x1. Can be used for reinforcement material exchange."
Xuan Jiubuan sneered. "Tough mouth."
"Fine, I won't take her away."
"I'll stay outside the village for a day. If she's still in this mountain village by sunset tomorrow, your Qing Shi Village will be exterminated."
With a wave of his sleeve, he stepped into the void and turned away.
Lin Bufan braced himself, but finally, his body swayed.
"Boom!"
Luo Qingdao was the first to hold him up.
"You...you're injured."
"Why did you do this for me?"
Lin Bu Fan leaned on her shoulder, his voice low.
"… No reason."
"You fell, and I happened to pick it up."
I don't like it when something I picked up is snatched away by someone else."
Even if I can't beat it, I have to carry it."
Act 2: Emotions Heating Up — Female Leader Determined
The night is deep.
Lin Bufan sits down to regulate his breathing and brace himself to stabilize the turbulence in his body.
Luo Qingdao quietly stood guard beside him.
She looked at the young man in front of her, her heart filled with mixed feelings.
She came from the Supreme Heaven Sect, and her status was incomparably honorable.
And yet, he was just a teenager from a small village in the wilderness. For her alone, he resisted the wrath of the entire sect.
"I thought no one in this world would fight for me."
"Even more so, I didn't think it would be you."
Lin Bu Fan opened his eyes and looked at her. "Do you regret it?"
Luo Qingdao gently shook her head. "I've never been so sure—"
"If you don't drive me away, I'm willing to follow you all the way."
[Ding! Favorability increased to 30.]
[Female main plot locked: activate the "Protect her for a thousand miles" subplot.]
Lin Bu Fan was stunned, then laughed softly: "All right. If you don't leave, I'll protect you."
"If anyone wants to rob you, they'll have to ask my fists if they agree."
[Act 3: The Village's Darkness: The Village Chief's Secret Meeting]
On the other side:
It was a dark night, and candles flickered in the meeting hall of Greenstone Village.
The First, Second, and Third Elders gathered around the Clan Chief for a secret meeting.
"Lin Bufan can't stay any longer."
He is the only person who stood up to the Xuan Tian Sect today. Although he is protecting the village, if he provokes the Xuan Tian Sect into action tomorrow, the entire village will be destroyed along with him!"
The patriarch remained silent for a long time before saying, "But he is no longer someone who can be expelled at will."
The Third Elder coldly said, "If he stays, it will mean the death of our entire clan!"
"He must go, taking that woman with him!"
"We must force him to leave."
[Act 4: The System Speaks Out — Main Line Advancement]
After Lin Bu Fan returned to his room, the system popped up a message:
"Fate node trigger detected.
Is the main storyline of 'leaving the village' open?"
The current main plot is 'Get out of the village and start a new chapter in the world.'
Mandatory condition: Leave before sunset tomorrow or the village will be destroyed and people will die."
Lin Bu Fan's eyes narrowed.
"Finally, I'm going to leave this place.
"Qing Shi Village is too small for the path I'm going to take."
He looked toward the moonlight outside the window; his eyes were as cold as a sword.
"Since the sky wants me to go, then I will walk out of the sky and earth."